10 Tips for Identifying and Treating Skin Rashes

For people with a shingles outbreak, how long they will have the rash can be a challenge. Though it depends on the person, shingles can stick around for three to five weeks, often going away on its own [source: Mayo Clinic].

The good news is that most people only get shingles once. However, the pain associated with it can linger, and if so you should consult your doctor.

There is no cure for shingles, considering it's a virus, but a vaccine has been developed that could prevent an outbreak. The vaccine is for those ages 60 and older and must be administered by your doctor [source: National Institute on Aging].